I Exist

Written on 6/11/19

I exist and there is really nothing to it
I exist and that's a fact
I know I take up space 
With my curvy Black body
My kinky hair, my smushed up nose
And I know you turn and look around 
At the new girl taking up space
And you know what
I am fine with that
Taking up space is fine
I belong here on this planet Earth
Thanks very much.
It's not elementary school, my dear Watson
I can sit wherever I damn well please.
I can sit with the cool kids regardless 
Of whether you think I'm cool or not
So with that, Tommy, can I have your 
applesauce?
Our society has grown to be more accepting
And yet everyone has their demons they fight
School bullies fight them every day
And every day they keep losing out to the inner demons
Who are the real bullies
Psychology can mess us up.
So I'm going to stop watching the news
And embrace my Black womanhood.
While aware that plenty of women like me
Feel this way.
Feel that they take up space.
When I dance around the room
That simple chic studio
When I sashay in my worn pink flats
When I curve my body to the sweeping sounds
Of Tchaikovsky's Sugar Plum Fairy
I don't see many ballerinas who look like me

But I am fine with that
Because what matters is that I show up for 
the work
I take up space
So get used to it. 

Author: The Arts Are Life

I am a writer and musician. Lover of music, movies, books, art, and nature. View all posts by The Arts Are Life